Marci Nielsen, PhD, MPH

With over 30 years of experience in health policy, advocacy, and executive management, Marci Nielsen has a diverse background working in various health sectors – ranging from non-profit primary care health associations, to federal and state government, to non-profit health plans, to philanthropic foundations, to health policy advocacy – providing her with a unique perspective and a passion for bridging the fractured nature of health care delivery and public health. She also has broad experience in academia as a researcher, professor, and administrator, which enables her to translate academic research into actionable information for policymakers and community organizers.

During the COVID-19 crisis, Marci served as chief advisor for Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and subsequently as vice president for policy and advocacy for former CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden’s global public health non-profit organization. She has a PhD in Health Policy and Management from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health (concentration in social and behavioral science), a Master of Public Health from George Washington University (concentration in global health), and a bachelor of science in biology and psychology from Briar Cliff College. Currently she serves as senior consultant for Policy & Public Engagement at The Center for Professionalism and Value in Healthcare in Washington, DC (part of the American Board of Family Medicine) and provides government affairs analysis and support to the Government Employee Health Association (GEHA) headquartered in Kansas City. July 2024